By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When the Tennessee Tech football team takes to the field in August to begin work for the 2021 season, they'll be greeted with a new field turf surface across Overall Field in Tucker Stadium.
The process recently began as the existing turf was removed last week. The new turf installation will begin next week with the Motz Group handling the task.
"It is an absolute pleasure to work with The Motz Group again on this project," said Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "We have a wonderful relationship with Motz going back to the 2007 addition of 24/7 Turf in Tucker Stadium, as well as the turf installed in the Athletic Performance Center. Their work has provided us with fantastic playing surfaces that have lasted. We're excited to be able to employ their services again and bring a new state-of-the-art field to Tucker Stadium."
Tech head football coach Dewayne Alexander said: "The field is so vitally important to every aspect of our program – we use it every day whether it's for practice or for games. It gets a lot of use over the years, plus with all the advancement in the fibers since the previous field was installed in 2007, there are new technologies we can take advantage of. Having a new surface is exciting. When you get something new, it's always a positive for our players and in recruiting."
This marks the fifth installation of artificial turf in the stadium. The first synthetic surface was added in 1970, then replaced in 1980. The second installation lasted until 1994 when Stadia Turf was put in that season. 2007 saw the Motz Group install the previous 24/7 Turf.
Fourteen years later, the previous surface is gone and the process has begun to put down the new field.
In its place, the Motz Group will install Shaw Sports Turf's Legion Pro system, which combines slit film and monofilament fibers to simulate the feel and look of natural grass, which allows for better ball roll, while also holding additional durability and infill control.
Shaw Sports Turf cites Middle Tennessee, UC Davis and Missouri all with the Legion system in their facilities.
"It's an honor to be selected again by Tennessee Tech to be their field partner of choice in the renovation of the synthetic turf surface at Tucker Stadium," said The Motz Group Director of Sales Chris Larbes. "With our partner, Shaw Sports Turf, the University will truly be getting one of the best synthetic turf systems on the market today for performance and playability, backed by Motz Group's proven record of delivering surfaces at the highest levels."
The Motz Group cited in its project media guide: "Tennessee Tech was looking to provide a high-quality and health-focused surface for their athletes, and they feel this new field will do just that, while also helping to raise the bar when it comes to recruiting future student-athletes.
With nearly 45 years of experience, The Motz Group is committed to leaving a lasting legacy with every field they create. A true employee-owned company, they build fields from inception to completion with pride, dignity and the utmost integrity. They are synthetic and natural turf specialists, focusing on sports field design, construction, removal, replacement, maintenance and management.
Tech is the latest program in the region to choose Motz again for the replacement project, with Northern Kentucky, Mount St. Joseph and Bellarmine also undergoing installation projects.
Athletes have competed on Motz surfaces in the NFL, MLB, MLS, NCAA, Olympics and World Cups. With project history spanning five continents and patents recorded around the globe, The Motz Group is the perfect sports field construction partner for any team.
Learn more about The Motz Group by visiting themotzgroup.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
